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A Remarkable Perspective (Psalm 119:64)

The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 119:64

When you think of the earth and all that is going on, how would you describe it? We live in a day when the news we hear is generally bad news. Evil is prevalent everywhere and Christians can easily fall into a very negative and fatalistic mindset.

Keep in mind that the psalmist is in difficult circumstances. He has many who vehemently oppose him and are seeking his harm. Nonetheless, when he sees the earth, he recognizes the amazing demonstration of the steadfast love of God.

John Morison has wisely said, “The humble and devoted servant of God does not look with a jaundiced eye upon that scene through which he is passing to his eternal home. Amidst many sorrows and privations, the necessary fruits of sin, he beholds all nature and providence shining forth in the rich expression of God’s paternal benignity and mercy to the children of men.1

In what ways do we see the mercy and steadfast love of God in this fallen world? Consider the beauty of creation, the eternal plan of God for the salvation of sinners, the patience of God towards sinners, the provision of Jesus Christ, the blessing of relationships, the work of the Holy Spirit, the providence of God, the eternal hope that He promises to His children, etc.

We must never focus on circumstances apart from a higher view of the eternal work of God that is sovereignly being accomplished in this sinful world. There is no person or group of people who will ever thwart the eternal purposes of God.

In the second half of this verse the psalmist appeals to the lovingkindness of God to teach him His statutes. This is another demonstration of God’s love profoundly demonstrated on this earth. He is willing to teach sinners His ways.

If you struggle with focusing on the miseries of the world rather than the greatness of God, let me encourage you to spend much more time reading your Bible than watching the news!

 

1 Spurgeon, C. H. (n.d.). The Treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 268). London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers.

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Rocky Wyatt

Rocky Wyatt came to know the Lord as a young teenager and began working in youth ministry when in college. After serving in churches in Utah, California and Colorado, Rocky moved to Texas to serve as Youth Pastor at Countryside Bible Church. He served there for 26 years where he eventually moved from youth ministry to serve as an Associate Pastor.

Over the course of his ministry, Rocky has always had a desire to train men for pastoral ministry in the context of the local church. In 1992 he started XL Ministries, an organization that is committed to helping churches establish intensive internships for pastoral training. In 2020 he left his position at Countryside Bible Church to become the Executive Director of XL Ministries and now works full time assisting churches in training men for ministry.

He is co-author of The Youth Ministry Training Manual, a textbook for training youth pastors, and has also written multiple other resources for use in various local church ministries. He is currently working on a book to encourage churches to take the primary responsibility to train pastors.

Rocky is married to Pamela, has two sons and daughters-in-law, and ten grandchildren. 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.1 Corinthians 15:58